Devices and Methods for Phlebotomy Through a Closed System Intravenous Catheter

Abstract

An apparatus includes a catheter, an introducer, and an actuator. A distal end portion of the introducer has a lock configured to couple the introducer to a closed system intravenous line at least partially disposed in a body. The lock is configured to transition a seal of the closed system intravenous line from a closed state to an open state when coupled thereto. The actuator is at least partially disposed in the introducer and coupled to a proximal end portion of the catheter. The actuator is configured to move the catheter between a first position, in which the catheter is disposed within the introducer, and a second position, in which the catheter extends through the seal of the closed system intravenous line such that a distal end surface of the catheter is positioned distal to the closed system intravenous line.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vascular access device, comprising:
 a hub having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a lumen extending therethrough;   a proximal port coupled to the proximal end portion, the proximal port including a seal transitionable from a closed configuration to an open configuration;   a catheter coupled to the distal end portion;   a side port coupled to the hub between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and in fluid communication with the lumen; and   a guide structure positioned within the lumen and configured to deflect a device inserted through the side port towards the distal end portion.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide structure is a circular structure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide structure is a triangular structure. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide structure is positioned within the lumen to intersect a first axis extending between the proximal end portion and second end portion and a second axis defined by the side port. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second axis is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal includes a pivotable flap. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal includes a plurality of movable flaps. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of movable flaps are positionable to at least partially overlap each other. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal includes a pre-formed slit. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal includes one or more biasing members configured to bias the seal towards the closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension tubing coupled to the side port. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a port placement device coupled to the extension tubing, the port placement device including:
 a shell positionable on an exterior of the extension tubing;   a piercing member attached to the shell and configured to pierce the extension tubing; and   a port positionable in fluid communication with the extension tubing.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an introducer including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion of the introducer is configured to couple to the proximal end portion of the hub and transition the seal from the closed configuration to the open configuration when the lock is coupled to the hub. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator is configured to movably receive a second catheter therein, the introducer comprising an actuator at least partially disposed in the introducer and coupled to the second catheter to move the second catheter between a first position, in which the second catheter is disposed within the introducer, and a second position, in which the second catheter extends through the seal of the hub. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end portion of the introducer includes a proboscis that defines a lumen, the proboscis being configured to extend through the seal to place the lumen of the proboscis in fluid communication with the lumen of the hub. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein an outer surface of the proboscis is configured to engage a portion of the seal to collectively form a fluid tight seal therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 providing the vascular access device of  claim 1 ; and   positioning at least a portion of a second catheter within the lumen of the hub.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising drawing a fluid into the second catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 placing a transfer device in fluid communication with the second catheter; and   collecting the fluid in the transfer device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transitioning the seal from the closed configuration to the open configuration.